Robert Stockton, Robert F Stockton, Commodore Robert Field Stocktonhttp://robertstockton.org
Learn about the man who influenced U.S. History from 1811 to 1864. Intended for students of all ages.Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:19:40 +0000en-UShourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2Stockton Story — California Campaign 1846http://robertstockton.org/stockton-story-california-campaign-1846/
http://robertstockton.org/stockton-story-california-campaign-1846/#commentsFri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:54 +0000Martha Aldersonhttp://robertstockton.org/?p=94The story of how Commodore Stockton turns his ship of sailors into soldiers during the California Campaign in 1846 is told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Sven Johnsson.

Sven does not remember his father; he died at sea before Sven was born. Sven’s Mexican mother takes Sven to live on her family’s land next to Rio Nueces. Though she tries to help him fit in, Sven, with his mother’s brown eyes and father’s fair skin and blonde hair, suffers in the small village.

In 1846, with the dream of finding a home where he truly belongs, Sven boards the USS Congress as scribe to Commodore Stockton.

He quickly learns that the American commander is sailing under secret presidential orders to Alta California to capture the territory from the Mexicans. Fearful of being outcast as the enemy, Sven keeps his full identity a secret. He despairs that he will never find a place he fits in.

The treacherous Cape Horn crossing leaves Sven’s dreams of a life at sea in tatters. He plans to escape when they finally reach their destination. Once there, Sven is swept up in the dramatic events involving the leaders of both sides of the Mexican War.

Sailing with Commodore Stockton is a coming of age story about a young boy in search of his place in the world and what he ultimately finds in Alta California.

As a fifth-generation Californian and descendent of Commodore Robert Stockton I have been granted access to stories about the man who came from a long-line of patriots in New Jersey and later went on to conquer California in 1846-47.

This book meets the California Content Standards requirement that every student study the economic, social, and political life in California from the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic through the Mexican-American War.

I currently give lectures about Stockton in classrooms all over California along with plot workshops for children and their teachers. Staff and the administration from the most recent public school district I visited – Stockton Unified – encouraged me to finish this project.

]]>http://robertstockton.org/stockton-story-california-campaign-1846/feed/0LONG TERM GOAL for this Bloghttp://robertstockton.org/long-term-goal-for-this-blog/
http://robertstockton.org/long-term-goal-for-this-blog/#commentsFri, 13 Nov 2009 17:56:06 +0000Martha Aldersonhttp://robertstockton.org/?p=91Martha Alderson’s long-term goal for this blog and her school visits is to expand students’ understanding of California History. Her desire is to bring Commodore Stockton’s name recognition to the same level as John C. Fremont.

Stockton took part in nearly every major historical event during his lifetime = War of 1812, Algerian War, founding of Liberia, Raritan and Camden Canal, the first screw-propelled battleship for the US Navy, the Conquest of California, The Peace Conference. For California students, he provides the most exciting part of the California Conquest.

I love any opportunity to share my passion about this great American patriot.

]]>http://robertstockton.org/school-visits-include/feed/0Testimonialshttp://robertstockton.org/testimonials/
http://robertstockton.org/testimonials/#commentsFri, 13 Nov 2009 17:06:24 +0000Martha Aldersonhttp://robertstockton.org/?p=70“Martha Stockton Alderson made Commodore Robert Stockton more than just a name to me as well as to my students. After her presentation we felt as if we knew him — his dreams, his shortcomings, his successes.” Gayle Watkins, Program Specialist Commodore Stockton Skill School

“I found the background information on Robert Stockton helpful. I took forward to your book on Robert Stockton both for the historical value and its connection to the namesake. Thank you!” 6th Grade Teacher

“I was very impressed with Martha Alderson’s ability to engage a roomful of 120 2nd graders in creating and constructing a story from scratch. The management and engagement strategies she uses were very effective.” Stockton Unified School District Elementary Counselor

“Martha Alderson was a California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners nominee for her outstanding contribution in developing and providing annual Young Writers Workshops for children and youth of the Santa Clara County Children’s Shelter.” California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners

“The astonished look of accomplishment on the kids’ faces is a wonderful testament of your gift to teach. We are forever grateful for the time you shared and are anxiously awaiting your next visit. The Children’s Shelter is a temporary placemnt facility for abused, neglected, and d abandoned children. Thanks gain for making a difference in the lives of our children.” Mark Forrest, Recreation Director

Robert Stockton took part in almost every major political event in his lifetime and, thus, makes a perfect study of early American history.

1795

Robert Stockton born 8/20/1795

Princeton, New Jersey

Lived on the family estate of Morven amid peach and apple orchards

Second son of Richard Stockton, a judge and politician

Ten brothers and sisters

U.S. History

Nineteen years before Robert was born, thirteen rag-tag colonies in the Northern Hemisphere along the Atlantic coast united to create the United States of America.

The Thirteen Original States were New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Robert’s father’s father signed the Declaration of Independence for New Jersey.

Robert’s Grandmother wrote and received poetry from George Washington.

The Revolutionary War ~~ 1775-1783

Robert is born 4 years after the Bill of Rights guaranteed every American:

a) Life

b) Liberty

c) Pursuit of happiness

1808

At 13 years old, Robert enters College of New Jersey, known today as Princeton

U.S. History

United States government ended slave trade from Africa to US

1811

Robert joins US Navy as midshipman

One year left of college

16 years old

1812

Robert is the youngest Midshipman-Acting Master’s Mate

On-board Commodore Rodger’s flagship—USS President.

U.S. History

The United States declares war on England. At the time, what we know as the War of 1812 was called 2nd War of Independence because the first one hadn’t made a deep enough impression on England.

The United States went to war again Great Britain in 1812 for three primary reasons:

a) England’s illegal practice of abducting United States sailors for service under the crown

b) England’s violation of the sovereignty of America’s territorial waters

c) England’s part in inciting Indian warfare along America’s borders

1815

At the end of war, Robert is described as over six feet tall, with a build notable muscular with a magnificent voice that demands attention

20 years old

Promoted to 1st Lieutenant

Sails to Mediterranean on the USS Spitfire as part of the Commodore Decatur’s squadron in the War with Algiers

U.S. History

During the War of 1812, the Barbary pirate states returned to their practice of attacking American merchant vessels in the Mediterranean Sea and holding their crews and officers

They declared war on the United States for failing to pay its required ransom.

On March 3, 1815, the US Congress authorized deployment of naval power against Algiers, and a force of ten ships was dispatched under the command of Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., veterans of the First Barbary War. Decatur’s squadron departed for the Mediterranean on May 20, 1815.

Shortly after departing Gibraltar en route to Algiers, Decatur’s squadron captured two Algerian ships. By the final week of June, the squadron reached Algiers.

The treaty guaranteed no further ransoms and granted the United States full shipping rights.

1820

Robert is commander of the USS Erie

Serves as part of the American squadron in the Mediterranean

In Gibraltar, Robert hears a British officer call an American merchantman captain “a damned Yankee”

Robert believes the insult is against his entire country

He goes against direct orders and demands a duel

U.S. History

Dueling, a fight between two people over a point of honor, each with a matching deadly weapon—usually pistols, was not uncommon at this time

Missouri Compromise—set the line between the free states and slave states/splitting North/South forever (keep in mind New Jersey—Robert’s home state–is the southern most Northern state

1821

Robert is home at Morven after being reprimanded for duel

First leave from the U.S. Navy in 10 years

American Colonization Society asks him to find and negotiate for land in Africa for the freed slaves of America

Everyone before him had died from the West African yellow fever

Robert accepts the mission and negotiates for land known today as Liberia

On the way to the west coast of Africa, he arrests two slave ships—American ships flying the French flag

Robert is reprimanded even though slave trade is prohibited by American law, French law, and the Law of Nations

U.S. History

Americans are in the midst of persuading France to reduce tariffs on our goods and the ships, Robert captures are sent back to France

American Colonization is controversial

Southern slaveholders want somewhere other than the South to send freed slaves

Northern abolitionists want Liberia only as voluntary asylum for freed slaves with Congressional assistance to go

1823

Lieutenant Stockton sails to Charleston South Carolina

He meets, falls in love with and marries the Southern belle Harriet Maria Potter

Robert takes a formal extended leave from the navy, but does not quit

Robert returns to Princeton, New Jersey with his new bride

Robert builds a house for his bride down the street from Morven

He begins a newspaper—Princeton Courier and gets involved in local politics

President of New Jersey Colonization Society Chapter—he believes the great object of colonization is the gradual abolition of slavery

U.S. History

1817 – 1825 is known as the Era of Good Feelings. There was little need for a navy

Population of North outnumbers South by over a million people

Of 5 million people in North, 125,000 are black

Of 4 million people in South, more than 2 million are black

1827

Robert’s older brother dies in a duel

Several months later, Robert’s father dies

Unexpectedly, Robert inherits the entire estate: Morven, orchards, all the family wealth

He is 32 years old and has two sons

U.S. History

Congress imposes tariffs that benefit the North and hurt the South

Nat Turner leads an uprising of slaves in Virginia

William Lloyd Garrison begins an anti-slavery newspaper

1830

Robert invest $1/2 million (a fortune in those days) in Delaware and Raritan Canal stock to connect New York to Philadelphia through New Jersey

Robert and his father-in-law, Mister Potter, hold ½ the stock and unite with the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company

U.S. History

The Erie Canal that connected the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean was completed five years before and to great success

1833

Delaware and Raritan Canal opens

With the canal and railroad, Robert controlled transportation in the state of New Jersey

Robert is 35 years old and has a little girl and third son

1837

Robert is in England raising money for the canal

He meets the famous Swedish inventor—Captain John Ericsson, who had built the prototype of and iron tugboat driven by steam power applied to an underwater screw-propeller, a revolutionary concept

Robert buys the experimental craft and has it sailed to America

He hopes the iron hull will cut through the winter ice which paralyzes the canal for months

It works

Robert begins plans with Ericsson for the first underwater screw propeller rather than side or rear paddle wheel which were vulnerable to enemy fire

He believes whoever rules the sea, rules the world

Robert presents the idea to the US Naval Commission

Permission denied

U.S. History

Texas becomes an independent nation

The United States is in a financial depression and small banks are failing. Hundreds of people’s savings were wiped out

1840

Robert returns to politics and campaigns for War of 1812 hero Major General William Henry Harrison—Tippecanoe and Tyler, too” campaign

1841

Harrison elected and dies

The new President Tyler offers Stockton the position of Secretary of the Navy

Robert declines but gets approval to build the screw-propelled battleship for the United Sates Navy—The Princeton

The Princeton’s main battery will consist of two twelve-inch muzzle guns each weighing ten tons each—the Oregon-built in England—and the Peacemaker—the construction of which Robert personally supervises in American using American iron—largest one ever built

1843

U.S. History

1st great wagon train is organized

1844

Robert’s ship is finished

Robert sails up the Potomac with 400 guests including President Tyler, members of the Cabinet, senators and dignitaries

Secretary of the Navy asks for the Peacemaker to be fired again.

The Peacemaker explodes, killing the Secretary of State and Navy, a servant and two sailors

Robert is burned and temporarily blinded

1845

Robert, now a commodore, ails to Texas with secret orders from newly elected President Polk

Robert unable to convince the President of Texas—President Jones—to go in for success

According to the secret orders from Polk, Robert proceeds to the Pacific to relieve Commodore Sloat as supreme commander of the U.S. Naval forces in the Pacific and, once war with Mexico is declared, take possession of California and establish a government un the American flag

Robert is 50 years old (average age in those days was 42 years old)

Nine children

Famously wealthy

Incredibly powerful

Robert wanted to redeem himself over the explosion of the cannon he built on the Princeton. He personally knew the men of power who died

U.S. History

President Polk elected

Polk is an unabashed expansionist—wants entire Northern Hemisphere under American rule

Polk tries to buy California from Mexico—Mexico won’t sell

A declaration of war by President Polk would not be viewed favorably in Europe

Texas is a nation and wants to be annexed into the Untied Sates.

Many opposed annexation because Texas will be added as slave state and throw off the delicate balance between free sates and slave states—tension in the country is building

Polk wants Robert to help Texas place itself in an attitude of active hostilities towards Mexico over the Rio Grande boarder.

Polk wants Texas to bring war with Mexico upon annexation into the Union

Polk sends Robert to California by sea, John C. Fremont overland the northern route, and Kearny overland the southern route, all with the same secret orders—take California for the U.S.

1846

After five months at sea, Robert arrives in Monterey, California on July 15, 1846

Assumes command of the fleet from Commodore Sloat

Receives word of war with Mexico

Robert declares CA a territory of the US and proceeds to organize a civil government

Robert enrolls the Bear Flag battalion of John C. Fremont as volunteers in the American Army

Robert sails south to take LA.

All is calm. Raises the American flag and the deed is done

Robert sends the famous Kit Carson to WA to inform President Polk mission accomplished

Robert sails to Yerba Buena (SF) and travels inland to SJ where he buys land hat today is the San Jose Airport

U.S. History

September, Mexican forces surround Los Angeles, Former Governor Pico, General Flores and 500 men retake Los Angles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and issue their won proclamation to “drive insolent invaders from CA soil”

Polk has also sent Kearny to California with orders appointing him as Governor of the American territory of California

Kearny is attacked by Mexican forces at San Pacaul and critically wounded

1847

Robert coverts his sailors and marines into land forces and reoccupies Los Angeles

Robert ignores Kearny and appoints himself 1st US Governor of California and is later hailed by biographer as “conqueror of the whole of California”

Robert makes Fremont governor and commander-in-chief if CA and returns east overland across the Rockies

1850

Robert ordered to face court marital for his refusal to recognize Kearny’s authority

Robert resigns from the Navy.

He is 55 years old

U.S. History

California asks to be admitted into the Union. No one expected this so quickly—the number of people who rushed to California for the Gold Rush qualifies them for statehood

California wants in as a freed sate—a deadlock in Congress ensures and it seems a disruption of the Union must be the outcome

The country his grandfather fought and died for cannot be destroyed. He forgets about this legacy and works incessantly to keep negations open between the North and South

1851

Robert elected to U.S. Senate as the youngest member

He introduces a bill abolishing flogging in the entire U. S. Navy, which passes into law

U.S. History

The same year women abolitionists see the irony of fighting for blacks what they themselves didn’t have and feminism gets its start.

A new fugitive slave law requires Northerners to return runaway slaves to South—the law is immensely unpopular in North.

Missouri Compromise repealed as unconstitutional—North outraged

Tensions between he North and the South are incredible

1861

Robert member of Peace Convention in Washing. His belief= Constitution does not give the federal government the power to interfere with state’s rights

Robert stands with South so long as it does not destroy the country or dissolve the Union

Southern states start to secede from the Union. Robert takes a public stand for the Union and for the first time turns his back on eh south.

U.S. History

Lincolns elected President with the promise not to touch slavery in states where it exists, but to stop the spread

He dies knowing the war is over, but not at all sure Union will survive.

130 years go his biographer writes: “Some will say Robert lived for glory and in the end failed. Yet the glory which he worshiped was glory of doing right, the glory of performing his whole duty. This he did and in so doing his life must be seen as an overwhelming success.”

Commodore Robert Field Stockton played a major role in the transfer of the territory of Alta California (California) from the Mexican government to the United States and thus, makes a perfect study of early California history.

COMMODORE ROBERT FIELD STOCKTON

1845 – 1846

CALIFORNIA CAMPAIGN

By:

Martha Alderson, M.A.

1845

Robert Stockton, by now a commodore, sails to Texas with secret orders from newly elected President Polk — convince President of the Republic of Texas to provoke a war with Mexico over boundary issues. Polk, unwilling to risk the good favor of his European allies, refuses to get involved. He wants the deed done without the order coming directly from him

President Jones of the Republic of Texas refuses Robert

Still under secret orders from Polk, Robert proceeds to the Pacific to relieve Commodore Sloat as supreme commander of the U.S. Naval forces in the Pacific. Once war with Mexico is declared, Robert is to take possession of California and establish a government un the American flag

Robert is 50 years old (average age in those days was 42 years old)

Nine children

Famously wealthy

Incredibly powerful

Robert wanted to redeem himself over the explosion of the cannon he built on the Princeton. He personally knew the men of power who died

U.S. History

President Polk elected

Polk is an unabashed expansionist—wants entire Northern Hemisphere under American rule

Polk tries to buy California from Mexico—Mexico won’t sell

A declaration of war by President Polk would not be viewed favorably in Europe

Texas is a nation and wants to be annexed into the Untied Sates.

Many opposed annexation because Texas will be added as slave state and throw off the delicate balance between free sates and slave states—tension in the country is building

Polk wants Robert to help Texas place itself in an attitude of active hostilities towards Mexico over the Rio Grande boarder.

Polk wants Texas to bring war with Mexico upon annexation into the Union

Polk sends Robert to California by sea, John C. Fremont overland the northern route, and Kearny overland the southern route, all with the same secret orders—take California for the U.S.

1846

After five months at sea, Robert arrives in Monterey, California on July 15, 1846

Assumes command of the fleet from Commodore Sloat

Receives word of war with Mexico

Robert declares CA a territory of the US and proceeds to organize a civil government

Robert enrolls the Bear Flag battalion of John C. Fremont as volunteers in the American Army

Robert sails south to take LA.

All is calm. Raises the American flag and the deed is done

Robert sends the famous Kit Carson to WA to inform President Polk mission accomplished

Robert sails to Yerba Buena (SF) and travels inland to SJ where he buys land hat today is the San Jose Airport

U.S. History

September, Mexican forces surround Los Angeles, Former Governor Pico, General Flores and 500 men retake Los Angles, Santa Barbara, San Diego and issue their won proclamation to “drive insolent invaders from CA soil”

Polk has also sent Kearny to California with orders appointing him as Governor of the American territory of California

Kearny is attacked by Mexican forces at San Pacaul and critically wounded

1847

Robert coverts his sailors and marines into land forces and reoccupies Los Angeles

Robert ignores Kearny and appoints himself 1st US Governor of California and is later hailed by biographer as “conqueror of the whole of California”

Robert makes Fremont governor and commander-in-chief if CA and returns east overland across the Rockies

School Visits — Martha Stockton Alderson, M.A. is available to help teachers and students achieve history content standards AND writing and reading content standards.

Her talks about Commodore Robert Field Stockton and his part in the transfer of California from the hands of the Mexican government to the United States helps satisfy California Content Standards that require every student to study the economic, social, and political life in California from the establishment of the Bear Flag Republic through the Mexican-American War.

As a Californian descendent of Robert Stockton, she has been granted access to stories about the man who came from a long-line of patriots in New Jersey and influenced nearly every major historical event in our country’s history during his lifetime.

Martha is an international plot and story consultant. Her clients include best-selling authors, writing teachers and fiction editors. She created a unique line of plot tools for readers and writers, including BLOCKBUSTER PLOTS Scene Tracker Kit, and the Plot Planner DVDs. She teaches plot workshops privately, through Writers Store, Learning Annex and writing conferences. Visit her website at: www.blockbusterplots.com

Long before working with adult writers, Martha worked with children with speech, language, and learning disabilities. She finished graduate school with a Masters in speech development, a double major in Psychology and Speech Pathology, a California Teaching Credential in Special Education, National certification by the National Speech and Hearing Association, California certified by the California Board of Medical Examiners.

After serving as a speech therapist in Oak Grove School District, she went on to found a learning clinic and, with the help of 6 therapists and 1 psychologist on staff, transformed the lives of thousands of children. 15 years ago she sold the practice and started writing. Now, she joins together what she knows about the ways people learn with what she knows about plot to open up the world of stories to children and adults alike. She makes plot, an abstract concept, concrete to accommodate all learning styles. After more than twenty years of interacting with thousands of children, she knows firsthand the many different ways people learn.

Five years ago, she started teaching plot workshops by incorporating as much sensory feedback as possible for full discovery and ease in learning. With the help of this communications leader, children and adult writers of all skill levels now grasp the elusive concept of plot and are able to use it effectively in their own works of fiction.

Never losing her love of working with children, Alderson has volunteered her time for nine years, teaching children about plot through the Friends of the Los Gatos Library sponsorship, and developed a writing program for a local children’s shelter.

In 2005, she was a California Association of Library Trustees and Commissioners nominee for “her outstanding contribution in developing and providing annual Young Writers Workshops for children and youth in Los Gatos for the past five years, and extending the program to the children and youth of the Santa Clara County Children’s Shelter.”

Although her major work is with adult writers, Alderson continues to teach students to push aside the words and “see” the underpinnings of all great literature. The strategies and materials encourage students of all ages to write and read in a more analytical way.

She currently gives lectures about Stockton in classrooms all over California along with plot workshops for children and their teachers.